Created for the education of car salesmen as well as customers, these promotional films show new 1973 Pontiac models, such as the LeMans, Grand Am and Firebird, and compare them to rival products such as the Ford Grand Torino. The host and narrator is Bill Hickman, who served as Gene Hackman’s stunt driver in “The French Connection.” (That movie has an infamous car chase scene which was filmed in real traffic without blocking off the roads. Hickman was driving a Pontiac LeMans in the film.) Hickman drives all three of the Pontica cars, comparing them to other models and showcasing their capabilities.

Bill Hickman stands by a blue Pontiac LeMans car. Part of the car chase scene from the movie “The French Connection” plays (00:15). Top and bottom close up comparisons of a Ford Gran Torino and a Pontiac LeMans. The LeMans pulls forward and gently hits a boulder, the cushioned bumper is being demonstrated (1:27). The side windows of both cars are compared. Side by side comparison of both trunks open. Close up of the LeMans instrument panel and steering wheel. Close up of the LeMans engine. Hickman takes some tight curves in the LeMans. A Chevy Malibu is shown next to the LeMans (3:02). The back of both cars are compared. Shots of under both hoods with focus on the fiberglass insulation on the LeMans. Side by side shot of interior fabric of both cars. Quick zoom of a Plymouth Satellite Custom. Top and bottom comparison of the LeMans and an Oldsmobile Cutlass “S.” Shot of bucket seats. View from behind trees of the LeMans driving down a peaceful road. Graph shows“Used Car Depreciation from Dealer Cost” comparing the Satellite, Coronet, Montego, Torino, LeMans and Chevelle. Hickman smiles and drives away in the LeMans. Title “This Film is produced for the Information of Pontiac Sales Personnel.” Glamor shots of a white 1973 Pontiac Grand Am with red and blue stripes (6:27). Two women sit behind a table that says “Rallye Start.” A man shifts the car into gear and drives down a country road with a horse galloping in the field (6:56). Shots of the car driving in different scenery. The car drives towards the camera and impacts a clear barrier (7:50). A blonde woman points at a map in the passenger seat. Shot of the louvered rear windows. The Grand Am takes tight curves. The woman takes notes on a clipboard. The couple parks and hand over their clipboard. A man stops a stopwatch. The woman adjusts the red bucket seat. Shots of the interior. Close ups of the instrument panel. The man hands the woman a silver trophy (11:12). Title “You are invited to

take a demonstration ride in a 1973 Pontiac.” The car chase scene from “The French

Connection” is shown. Bill Hickman pulls up in the Grand Am (12:50). The car drives on a road

course called “Road Atlanta” in Georgia in heavy rain (13:25). A red Grand Am pulls behind a

Mercedes-Benz and a Jaguar XJ. All three cars brakes are demonstrated. Close up of the

Grand Am steering wheel and instruments. A woman reclines the car seat with a knob.

Animated car seat demonstrates how the lumbar support works (16:15). The woman honks the

horn. She shifts the gears. A brunette in a pink dress runs down stairs to get into the Grand Am (17:15). Bill Hickman drives in the rain. Scene from “The French Connection” plays. Bill Hickman gets out of a red Pontiac Firebird. The Firebird is compared to a Ford Mustang. Shots of the interior. The Firebird is compared to a Chevrolet Camaro. Hickman takes fast curves on Road Atlanta (21:24). A red Firebird Trans Am speeds down the street, it has a Phoenix decal on the hood. Shots of a Plymouth Barracuda. Graph shows “Used Car Depreciation from Dealer Cost” comparing the Firebird and Barracuda. Bill Hickman drives away in the red Firebird.

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